Silhouette Critters

This is the third of my quick and simple Christmas cards using my Julian Charlton silhouette stamps from Purple Onion Designs. 

I have stamped the characters onto kraft card and added some white 'snow'.  The sentiments are doubled layered in glitter card and matted onto the same kraft card.

Card Recipe:

From Papermill Direct

• Kraft Materica Card 250gsm
• Plain Red Card 290gsm
• Red Glitter Card 220gsm

Other

• Julian Charlton Silhouette Stamp - Bunny from Simon Says Stamp
• Honey Bee Cuts Christmas Text Die

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Little Critters

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Silhouette Critters

This is the second of my quick and simple Christmas cards using my Julian Charlton silhouette stamps. 

I have stamped the characters onto kraft card and added some white 'snow'.  The sentiments are doubled layered in glitter card and matted onto the same kraft card.

Card Recipe:

From Simon Says Stamp

• Julian Charlton Silhouette Stamp - Squirrel
  

From Papermill Direct

• Kraft Materica Card 250gsm
• Plain Green Card 240gsm
• Green Glitter Card 220gsm

Other

• Honey Bee Cuts Christmas Text Die

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Kitty Cuddles

After our Wild Animal theme last week, this week at As You Like It Challenge we want to know what you're favourite domestic animal is, so it's no surprise that mine is the cute and cuddly kitty cat!  We are slaves to two of our own feline furballs, Jenson and Pickle who are, of course, spoilt rotten (and we wouldn't have it any other way!).  One furry lap snuggle and every ounce of the day's naughtiness is instantly forgiven (and there's usually a lot of naughtiness requiring forgiveness).

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire, Prize Ribbon
• Reds: Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• 'Whites': Weathered Wood
• Ground: Pumice Stone, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Milo and Lucy Cats wrapped in scarf by Purple Onion Designs
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Merry Christmas Circle Frame die

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Silhouette Penguins

I bought some Julian Charlton silhouette stamps from Purple Onion Designs last year and this is the first time that I've used them. I have opted for a kraft base, stamped the silhouette critters in black and added some white 'snow'.  The sentiment is doubled layered in red glitter card and matted onto kraft card for a quick and simple design.

Card Recipe:

From Purple Onion Designs

• Julian Charlton Silhouette Stamp - Penguin

From Papermill Direct

• Kraft Materica Card 250gsm
• Plain Red Card 290gsm
• Red Glitter Card 220gsm

Other

• Honey Bee Cuts Christmas Text Die

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

In the Dog House

We're asking if you prefer interactive cards or not at As You Like It Challenge this fortnight, and I've been racking my brain to consider what kind of interactive card I would prefer. I thought about the fancy fold cardbases that I've loved making in the past, including some with removable tags, but in the end I decided that my difficulty in finding something that I'd love to make must really mean that I actually prefer straightforward cards!  So I've opted for the complete opposite of interactive in an almost flat and fuss-free card instead!  

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Kennel: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Sky: Tumbled Glass
• Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Greys: Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Speckled Egg

Card Recipe:

• Lola Dog with Pompom Hat
• Fido's Dog House
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Polkadoodles Distressed Trellis Stencil

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Use at least 1 Stencil

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pingu Tag

At As You Like It Challenge this fortnight we want to know if you prefer (crafting with) critters or people (no comment on whether you prefer mixing with the real thing!).  I've opted for critters as I love using cute critters on my projects.  I prefer colouring fur than hair and the cuteness of the images.  I've used an adorable Pingu which is one of my favourite winter themed critters too.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Pingu: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Satchel: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Blueprint Sketch
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany

Card Recipe:

• Stacey Yacula Wallace Penguin Mail Carrier from Purple Onion Designs
• Memory Box Twilight Snowflake Dies
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• MFT Merry Christmas Circle Frame
• Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels & Tags no. 12
• Flat backed pearls

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gone Fishin'

Yup, I'm still in Christmas mode - I hope you're not bored yet!  I've started a tally of how many cards I still need to make and it is nice to see the remainder reducing each time I add another. Mind you, it's not a hardship making Christmas cards as they're my favourite theme. 

Today's card has been made with postage in mind, so it's (almost) a single layer card which should easily fit into a flat envelope.  I had to stop myself adding some die cuts to the top right, but really need to make at least some mail-friendly cards!

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose
• Fish: Twisted Citron, Crushed Olive, Cracked Pistachio
• Stick: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Blues: Prize Ribbon, Blueprint Sketch
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Speckled Egg, Hickory Smoke

Card Recipe:

• Arthur Ice Fishing Polar Bear from Purple Onion Designs (I had a little splurge at SSS who now stock these adorable Stacey Yacula images!)
• MFT Stitched Basic Edges 2
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL34 Double Stitched Squares
• Happy Christmas Ribbon (discontinued but similar to this)

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Out with the Old, In with the New

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Snow Critters

Today I'm in fully frilly mode and since it's June, I thought it was about time for some Christmas creating!  Whilst I appreciate the simplicity of a CAS card, (especially when I've spent ages colouring an image and don't want it to be overwhelmed by too much faff) I also love adding all the fancy embelishments in my stash. I especially love pearls and flowers, and at the moment I seem to have a bit of a theme going on with fancy folds and pop-up card bases. This one, using a card stand, is also a favourite.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
• Brown Buttons: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Blues: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans
• Reds: Festive Berries, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Snow: Weathered Wood
• Penguin: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Stacey Yacula - Sweet Snow Friends (Snowman, Penguin & Bunny)
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cherry Blossom
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Hip Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Card Making Magic Die Set Easel
• Tattered Lace Foundations Doilies
• Merry Christmas Circle Frame (snipped so it can be stretched out)
• Handmade beaded pin
  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Today I'm sharing my final Christmas card of 2019, made with love for a very special friend.  It includes lots of my favourite things; pink, cute critter, fancy fold/shape, stitched dies, ribbon, flowers, but today's not a day for spending on the computer, so I'll just wish you a Merry Christmas and I hope to see you here again very soon for more crafting and creating!

Have a great day. xx

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Tattered Rose
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Meadow Winter Deer from Purple Onion Designs
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• 15mm Satin Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Wild Orchid Crafts Lily Flowers
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Card Making Magic Die Set Easel

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

The Fairy Light Express

5 days to go:  I've not used my Purple Onion Design stamps for a while so I've combined these two into a little sledging scene for a sweet but simple card.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn
• Reds: Candied Apple, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany
• Twigs: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Light: Squeezed Lemonade
• Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Hope, Bunny Sledding from Purple Onion Designs
• Stacey Yacula Lights from Purple Onion Designs
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Square Stax
• Glossy Accents
• Glamour dust glitter
• First Edition Merry Little Christmas paper pad

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Reindeer Bunny

8 Days to go:  Today's cards both feature one of my favourite bunny images. I love him so much that he's got to play on two cards today!

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose
• Mistletoe: Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Purple Onion Designs Fawn Winter Rabbit with Mistletoe
• Glossy Accents
• Flat Backed Pearls
• 15mm Organza Ribbon
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL67 Double Stitched Ovals
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL65 Double Stitched Circles
• Card Making Magic Die Set Easel

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Mouse Pouch

I've made a 7" x 7" bound wallet which contains a handmade pouch perfect to house some 6" x 6" papers. I've made it as a gift, and once the papers are used, it could be used to store some 6" x 6" cards.  The mouse on the front has a magnet on the back so it wraps around the book.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Mouse: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Tattered Rose
• Grass: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Outfit: Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet
• Icecream: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick

Card Recipe:

• Shelly Mouse from Purple Onion Designs
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Raspberry Road Designs Timeless Victorian papers
• Zutter binding machine and wires

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Stamp It
• Penny Black & More - Animals

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Special birthday

This is the card I've made for my uncle's birthday next week.  He and my aunt are keen campers so this image is perfect for him.  I added some doodled stitching around the numbers for some added interest and also added a hand-drawn suitcase on the roof-rack because I didn't want to fussy cut the bars of the roof-rack!

Card Recipe:

• VW Bus from Purple Onion Designs
• Tree Line Horizon from Purple Onion Designs
• Versafine Ink Pad
• CC Designs Jumbo Number Dies
• Reinkers

I've been inspired by:

• Country View Crafts - Letters and/or Numbers using DI Reinkers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Christmas Cheer

For my final Christmas card of 2018, I've been playing with a Purple Onion image and some inky skies making a card for a special friend.  I'm hoping that she's opened it by now, so I'm able to share it as my 'Christmas Eve' card and use it to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo
• Sky: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Weathered Wood
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Wilted Violet
• Snow: Pumice Stone

Card Recipe:

• Warmhearted Snowman and Bunny
• Clearly Besotted Sentiment

I've been inspired by:

• Country View - Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Mistletoe Notebook

I made this little notebook for a special friend who likes cute furries using one of my favourite Purple Onion Design images. I've used my Zutter binder to make this little mistletoe winter bunny into a handbag sized notebook as a mini Christmas present.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Tattered Rose
• Green: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Festive Berries, Fired Brick
• Ground: Pumice Stone

Card Recipe:

• Winter Rabbit from Purple Onion Designs
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Zutter Binding machine and wires

I've been inspired by:

• Crafty Calendar - It's Christmas Time
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Owl just for you

I love these Stacy Yakula images and this one's a bit of a break from the Christmas trend with a 'just for you' theme.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Owl: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
• Green: Bundled Sage, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Festive Berries, Fired Brick
• Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Sweetheart Owl with Heart from Purple Onion Designs
• MFT Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax
• Nitwit Collections Papers

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Desk Calendar

I had an idea for a little desk calendar and Post-It note holder. It's based on an easel fold card but made out of mountboard. I used my Zutter Bind-it-all so that the pages can flip over each month. The months each have a Purple Onion Design image on them and a little coloured die-cut frame.  Here's a close-up of January and I've put some pictures of the other months and their critters below.  I was a little restricted by the size of the frame but managed to find images that represented each month, like May flower and sparklers in November. I also chose autumnal colours for October. I hope you like my little desk calendar.

Card Recipe:

• All images from Stacy Yakula at Purple Onion Design
• Watercoloured with DI Reinkers
• MFT Square Peek-a-boo window
• Soft Cuddles Blue paper pad
• Post-It Note pad
• Zutter Bind-it-all and wires
• Calendar (typed and printed)

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Gift It 
• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Snowman Christmas

I'm in clean and simple mode today with this cute image from Purple Onion Designs. Since it's mid-November I think I need to get a wriggle on with my Christmas cards!

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Bunny: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tattered Rose
• Green scarf: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Snowman's arms: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
• Snowman: Weathered Wood
• Ground: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Card Recipe:

• Warmhearted Snowman and Bunny from Purple Onion Designs
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Sentiment from Clearly Besotted Little Donkey stamp set

I've been inspired by:

• Stamping Sensations - Ready for Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Tags, tags and more tags

As threatened earlier in the week, I've been making lots of Christmas tags and I have a set of 6 to share with you today. They're all made using the Crealies Tag dies, Purple Onion Design stamps and First Edition papers.  The envelopes that the tags are attached to have been made from the First Edition papers using my new flashy We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board (why didn't I get one of these babies before now!).  I've made the boxes from scratch, all bespoke to wrap a specific pressie for someone special.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Browns: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs 
• Grey fur: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Ears: Tattered Rose
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Purples: Wilted Violet
• Reds: Abandoned Coral, Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany
• Ground: Weathered Wood

Card Recipe:

• Purple Onion Designs - Fawn (Winter Rabbit with Mistletoe)
• Purple Onion Designs - Snowy Winter Owl
• Purple Onion Designs - Icicle (Polar Bear)
• Purple Onion Designs - Frost (Penguin with Scarf)
• Purple Onion Designs - Holly (Mouse)
• Memory Box Stitched Clouds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12
• Metallic ribbon
• First Edition 12" paper pad
• We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board

I've been inspired by:

• Stamping Sensations - Get ready for Christmas

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Halloween Kitty

Halloween's almost here so I've dug out this adorable little kitty from Purple Onion Designs.  He's stamped onto a small tent fold card made using a banner die.  I really liked him when I'd finished and was a little sad to part with him!

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Fur: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
• Greens: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Purples: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
• Pumpkin: Wild Honey, Carved Pumpkin

Card Recipe:

• Midnight from Purple Onion Designs
• Versafine Ink Pad
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Party Banner die
• Purple gems

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Wednesday Challenge - Halloween / Spooky
• That's Crafty! - Spookalicious

Happy crafting
Annette
xx